Cambridge Physics for the IB Diploma

Mark scheme for Support Worksheet – Topic F, Worksheet 1

1 The modification to a carrier wave so that it can carry information. [1]

2 In AM the amplitude of the carrier wave is modified; by the addition of the information wave displacement to the carrier amplitude. [2]

3 In FM the amplitude of the carrier stays the same; but the frequency gets modified by an amount related to the information signal displacement. [2]

4 The carrier frequency is 50 kHz; the information signal frequency is 5.0 kHz and the bandwidth is 10 kHz. [3]

5 [1]

6 [1]

7 Information can be encrypted; digital signals can be perfectly regenerated. [2]

8 A way to transmit many different signals along the same transmission line. [1]

9 X is an analogue to digital converter; takes in an analogue signal and turns it into a binary word consisting of a specific number of bits; Y is a serial to parallel converter; once all the bits have arrived one after the other along the transmission line, the serial to parallel converter puts these bits into a single binary word. [4]

10 The angle of incidence for which the angle of refraction is . [1]

11 and so [1]

12 (Dispersion is the general phenomenon in which different rays take different times to arrive at their destination.) Material dispersion is due to different wavelengths having different speeds; whereas modal dispersion is due to rays following different paths in a fibre. [2]

13 Attenuation is the loss of power in a signal as it travels in a medium. [1]

14 Noise is unwanted power/signal that is present along with the desired signal. [1]

15 The main source of noise in an optic fibre is the dark current in the photodiode of the fibre. [1]

16 It has infinite resistance between its two inputs; the open loop gain is infinite. [2]

17 The output voltage has opposite sign to that of the input voltage. [1]

18 Phone sends signal identifying itself; cellular exchange assigns phone to base station where signal is strongest; a frequency is assigned to the phone. [3]

19 As the passenger moves, the cellular exchange computers monitor the signal strength and will automatically reroute the call to another base station in a other cell; so that the signal strength is maintained. [2]

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